GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2130*

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Sponsors: Representative Griffin.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

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June 20, 1994

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JOE MAX THOMAS, FORMER STATE SENATOR.
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas was born in Union County on July 9, 1915, the son of the late John W. and Lillian Hasty Thomas; and
Whereas, after graduating from the Wake Forest College Law School in 1937, Joe Max Thomas returned to his home town of Marshville, where he successfully practiced law until his retirement in 1983; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas was a member of the Union County Bar Association and the American Bar Association and was a member of the State Bar Association for more than 50 years; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas served as a judge in the Union County Recorder's Court from 1948 to 1952; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas served his district and the State, serving with distinction as a member of the North Carolina Senate for three terms, during the 1955, 1959, and 1961 Sessions of the General Assembly; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas was president of R.A. Thomas Gas Company for a number of years and served on the Board of Directors of Security Bank in the Town of Marshville; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas worked unselfishly for the betterment of his community as a member of several civic and fraternal organizations including the Shriners, the Masons, the American Legion, the Rotary Club, and the Lions Club; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas was a devoted and active member of the First Baptist Church in Marshville, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1942 to 1945, and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas died on August 15, 1993; and
Whereas, Joe Max Thomas is survived by his wife, Vergie Griffin Thomas; three children, Kathy Thomas Bradshaw, Rebecca Sue Thomas Whitley, and Joe Max Thomas, Jr.; seven grandchildren; and several other relatives and close friends; and
Whereas, the General Assembly wishes to honor the life and memory of Joe Max Thomas;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Joe Max Thomas and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and devoted service to North Carolina.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sorrow to the family and friends of Joe Max Thomas for the loss of a beloved family man and a true friend.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Joe Max Thomas.
Sec. 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.